Research Grants

There are a number of research grants which are available for researchers to carry out research work. Generally research grants are categorized into two main sources which are internal and external research funds.

In order to inculcate a competitive research culture, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia takes a proactive step by providing sufficient funds for researchers from different backgrounds to conduct research projects.

i) Short Term GrantShort Term Grants(STG) are available to be applied particularly for new academicians as well as for those who just come back from postgraduate studies to start up research work.

ii) Graduate Incentive SchemeUniversity Tun Hussein Malaysia also provides incentive funds for researchers supervising postgraduate students pursuing full time Master/PHD research programs. The funds cover tuition fees, living expenses and monthly allowance for postgraduate students for the period of the postgraduate studies.

Besides the financial support by the university, UTHM also receive grants from external organizations such as Mnistry of Higher Education, Ministry of Science and Technology as well as Malaysia Torray.

Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) provides continuous support to institutions of higher learning education particularly for research activities through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) which was introduced in 2006. MOHE has recently announced three newly launced research grants namely ERGS,LRGS, and PRGS in order to enhance research activities in Malaysia. Following are the details of the grant schemes which are currently available for application:

Fundamental research involves the explanation of new ideas, concepts or theories which will be the backbone to new discoveries, expansion of knowledge and sophisticated and state of the art inventions. In this respect, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (RMK-9), the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has allocated RM200 billion to fund fundamental research projects in Public Higher Education Institutions. The ministry opened applications for the FRGS for the first time in 2006.

The evaluation and recognition process for each Public of Higher Education Institutions fndamental research application is conducted by a group of FRGS Evaluation Committee comprising of experts form Public of Higher Education Institutions. The fundamental research project is generally classified into six areas, namely Pure Science, Applied Science, Sosial Sciences and Literature, Medical Science, Technology and Engineering and Natural Science and National Heritage. Three forms of research funding are awarded under the FRGS.:

a) Research funding for projects applied by the researcher through the research management at his/her respective Public of Higher Education Institutions.b) Research funding for projects identified by the Fundamental Research Grant Committee in a Top Down process.c) Incentive funding for selected Public of Higher Education Institutions

Exploratory Grant Scheme is a new grant offered for research which is aimed at producing new theories and new ideas in strategic niche areas in order to broaden new discoveries of knowledge. Exploratory grant focuses more on research which offers solutions of "what" and "where" for the following research fields:

i. Pure and Applied Sciencesii. Technology and Engineeringiii. Clinical and Health Sciencesiv. Social Sciencesv. Arts and Applied Artsvi. Natural Sciences and National Heritagevii. Defence and Security.

Following are the criteria of the Exploratory Grant Scheme:

Preliminary work on untested and novel ideas

Ventures into emerging and potentially transformative research ideas

Application of new expertise or new approaches to "established" research topic

Having severe urgency with regards to availability of, or access to data, facilities or specialised equipment, including quick-response research on Natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events.

Efforts of similar character likely to catalyse rapid and innovative advances.

The philosophy of Long Term Research Scheme (LRGS) is to promote the excellence in research which develop new theories and new innovations particularly in cutting edge fields that have been identified. Besides, it is also aimed at building collaborations with local as well as international multi disciplinary research institutions in order to introduce Malaysia as one of the leading fundamental research groups in established niche areas.

The objective of Prototype Research Grant Scheme (PRGS) is to allow laboratory/research findings which have been developed before pre-commercialization. This includes research based on proof of concepts, evaluation, up-scaling, pre-clinical testing and field testing.

1. Qualification of ApplicantEnergetic and creative researcher, Malaysian citizen aged below 40, residing in Malaysia, engaged in a basic fundamental scientific research field excluding mathematics and clinical medicine at a research facility in malaysia, whose work has the potential to contribute greatly to the advancement of science and technology

2. Research GrantThe foundation will provide up to about RM300,000 for research grants per year, comprising 5 to 10 grants of not more than RM60,000 each including 3 to 5 grants from Toray Science Foundation, Japan worth about Yen 5million in total).

The Foundation reserves the right to vary the number and amount of the grants at anytime at its absolute discretion without prior notice.

3. Recommending University/InstitutionRecommendation must be submitted by an authorised representative of a scientific or profesional institution or a university of which the applicant is a member.

4. Application ProcedureComplete the Application Form which is obtainable from MTSF or from the MTSF website and return the same to MTSF at the mailing address stated therein.

5. DeadlineThe completed Application Form must reach the Foundation on or before 31 May of each year. Late entry and incomplete forms will not be processed.

6. Method of SelectionThere are 3 stages in the selection process:

1st Stage : Shortlisting of applicants by the Selection Committee through the review of the Application Forms.2nd Stage: Interview of shortlisted applicants by the Selection Committee 3rd Stage : Approval of the successful applicants by the Board of Foundation.

For Applicants who have advanced to the 2nd Stage, the shortlisted applicant or a member representing the research group will be interviewed by September of every year.

The decision of the Foundation is final and no correspondence regarding the decision will be entertained.

7. Selection CommitteeThe awardees shall be selected by the Selection Committee and approved by the Board of the Foundation.

8. Presenation of Research GrantThe presentation ceremony shall be held not later than the end of January of the following year.

9. Disbursement ProcedureThe grant is to be disbursed through the nominating university/institution in accordance with the procedure set by the Foundation

GEF SGP Malaysia was formally commenced operations in July 1999. In line with global SGP objectives, SGP Malaysia is oriented towards supporting interventions by Malaysian NGOs, CBOs and local communities in their efforts of environmental and biodiversity protection and conservation. The primary objectives of Malaysia GEF SGP include:

To support outreach and awareness raising activities among Malaysian NGOs, CBOs , IPOs and civil society organizations on global and national environmental concerns.

To build the capacities of NGOs, CBOs and local communities in addressing such environmental concerns, and

To provide a mechanism for demonstrating and disseminating community-level or community-led interventions and solutions to such environmental concerns.

Since its inception, SGP Malaysia has successfully funded 98 projects, both full projects and planning grants ( refer global SGP website for entire project list) implemented by various NGOs, CBOs and civil societies with total fund allocation of USD 3.6 million.

However, in Malaysia SGP mainly has been focusing on two focal areas: biodiversity and climate change, and under the current phase funds may be extended to cover land degradation.

The implementation of SGP Malaysia is governed by a National Steering Committee (NSC) which is the central element of the country SGP. The NSC is chaired by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) and the members of NSC comprise of representatives from local NGOs, government, academia, UNDP and occasionally co-funding donors and indigenous peoples’ organizations, the private sector and the media. The NSC is responsible for final approval of grants, helps undertake site visits and review, and advises on design and formulation of country programme strategy providing overall guidance on the implementation of SGP.

The day-to-day management of the programme is carried out by a locally recruited National Coordinator, who also serves as secretary to the NSC. The National Coordinator, working with NSC, reaches out to the NGO community and CBOs to inform them of availability of grants, and receives and screens proposals.